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Durchblickstation
Nov 6, 2014 13:52
9 yrs ago
Deutsch term

Nervenadel

Deutsch > Englisch Kunst/Literatur Dichtung und Belletristik
"Weitere wesentliche Akzente setzte eine maunzende Klarinette und eine sehnsüchtig seufzende Geige. Solch edle Patina liebt der Saalfeldner Nervenadel." in http://diepresse.com/home/wirtschaft/economist/1445399/Jazzf...

We'd be interested to know if German native speakers have encountered this term, what it means to them and perhaps one or two suggestions for an English translation. The term as such seems pretty old, apparently appearing as early as 1933 (Festschrift zum sechzigsten Geburtstage von E. W. ... - jstor
www.jstor.org/stable/1480739 - Translate this page
und ihrer Wendung allein an einen ,,Nervenadel" vorzubringen hatte (Die Aufgabe unserer Zeit, S. III ff.). Festschrift zum sechzigsten Geburtstage von E. W. ... at http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/1480739?uid=3737528&ui...
Proposed translations (Englisch)
3 +2 intellectual elite
3 +1 high-brow crowd
3 Highbrow(s)/jazz epicureans
3 the haughty
3 aristocracy/nobility of taste
3 the aesthetes of Saalfelden
3 jazz afficionados

Discussion

Horst Huber (X) Nov 6, 2014:
Would take it as a synonym of expressions like die "Feinfühligen", "Hoch-", "Übersensiblen", a self-selecting sample of the educated bourgeoisie.
Ramey Rieger (X) Nov 6, 2014:
Found this https://archive.org/stream/dieentwicklungei00stri#page/300/m...
In the discourse, Nervenadel is compared to Muskeladel -
'Die Entwicklung einer Seele' page 300
Geldadel, Muskeladel, Nervenadel socio-political class distinctions. The text is very much tongue-in-cheek, I believe, but like all biting satire, also takes itself seriously.
David Friemann, MA Nov 6, 2014:
From what I gather, it is a humorous/sarcastic reference to people who have sophisticated taste and are "cultivated" by their familiar background alone. Somewhat akin to Geldadel (financial aristocracy), whose only claim to nobility is their wealth.

Proposed translations

+2
24 Min.
Selected

intellectual elite

If the sources below are anything to go by..

"..du gehörst doch zum neuen Nervenadel! Zu den Intelligenzaristokraten ...
http://books.google.de/books?id=jKWqrgk6BUQC&pg=PT85&lpg=PT8...

"Neben dem Kriegsadel gibt es laut Strindberg auch den Geistes- oder Nervenadel. Dies ist der Wunsch nach einer Geistesaristokratie, nach einer neuen Elite."
http://www.google.de/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=...
Peer comment(s):
agree philgoddard
4 Min.
agree seehand
9 Min.
neutral Ramey Rieger (X) : Same reference, did you read it? Excellent! but I think it contains more than intellectual strength. It also infers an insensitivity to other members of society.
33 Min.
It often does and that's practically implied in the term. But it would be interesting to see if somebody comes up with an idea that puts a sharper focus on that aspect
neutral David Friemann, MA : maybe a "nobility of taste" or "aristocracy of taste" is closer to it and includes the hint of condescension you are talking about?
1 Stunde
Not a bad idea especially if it can be made to fit into the sentence!
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
1 Stunde

Highbrow(s)/jazz epicureans

this may suit your needs quite well, having read the article.
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+1
1 Stunde

high-brow crowd

or Saalfeld's cognescenti
Peer comment(s):
agree Cillie Swart
1 Stunde
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2 Stunden

the haughty

I think refers to those who appear aristocratic and noble because of their neurotic attitude, even chronic anxiety and their resultant hesitant attitude to normal affairs and work.
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5 Stunden

aristocracy/nobility of taste

See discussion under Michael's entry.
Example sentence:

Saalfelden's aristocracy/nobility of taste is enamoured with such high-brow gleam

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4 Stunden
Deutsch term (edited): der Saalfeldner Nervenadel

the aesthetes of Saalfelden

aesthete
Line breaks: aes|thete
Pronunciation: /ˈiːsθiːt , ˈɛs-/
(US also esthete)
Definition of aesthete in English:
NOUN

A person who is appreciative of and sensitive to art and beauty.
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/aesthet...

or 'the Sultans of Swing'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultans_of_Swing


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Note added at 6 hrs (2014-11-06 20:40:56 GMT)
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As Horst suggests in the Discussion Box, there is a great deal of (misplaced) snobbery associated with jazz. Fans of this genre can be a little precious about their choice in music.
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22 Stunden

jazz afficionados

A slightly more neutral alternative.
Reference:

http://www.rsvlts.com/2014/05/27/beginner-jazz-aficionado/

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